📌 Key Points
- Amole Gupte formed a special bond with Riaan (11) and Rahyl (9) on ‘Raja Shivaji’ set.
- He praised the boys as “cultured” and “rooted,” knowing Ganpati Aarti and shlokas.
- Their interactions were informal, like a “picnic,” involving jilbis and samosas.
- The boys, making their debut, affectionately called jalebi “jilbi” in Marathi.
Veteran actor-filmmaker Amole Gupte recently shared his heartwarming experience working with Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh’s sons, Riaan and Rahyl, on the sets of ‘Raja Shivaji.’ Gupte was deeply impressed by their cultured upbringing and rooted values, fostering a unique bond with the young debutants.
A Special Bond Over Jilbi & Samosa
Working with children has always been fun for actor and filmmaker Amole Gupte, fondly known as Froggie Uncle off-camera. But on the set of Raja Shivaji , he developed a special bond unlike any other with Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh’s sons Riaan (11) and Rahyl (9), who made their debut with their father’s Marathi period drama this month. “With Rahyl and Riaan, our special bond was a cute shock for me after so many years. A special bond over jilbi (Marathi for jalebi) and samosa,” shares Amole.
Describing the star kids, the filmmaker tells us, “They are so cultured, the two boys. They know the entire Ganpati Aarti, the shlokas and various God’s mantras. So, there is a certain amount of rootedness in Genelia and Riteish’s boys, which is amazing. They are too good.” Amole, who plays the role of Mohammed Adil Shah in the film, reveals that their interaction was no less than a picnic.
Riteish & Genelia’s Sons: Cultured & Rooted
He explains, “We were not working. We were just having a picnic in my office. This is not some official mentorship. It is just, come and spend chhutti ka divas, which is Saturday or Sunday, depending on the children’s calendar. Come, sit, eat jilbis and samosas, have fun. In the meantime, run through some lines of the film script. So, it’s not like some Mukesh Chhabra workshop. It’s in my own way and style, because I am very informal in life. Children teach me the informality of life. Adults make everything too formal for my liking.”
Sharing an anecdote, Amole tells us, “These two boys call it ‘jilbi’ and not ‘jalebi’. In Marathi we call it jilbi. In Hindi ‘Jalebi khate hain’, in Marathi ‘Jilbi khato ammi’. Normally you say Jalebi. You ask these two boys what is this? They say jilbi. They enter the office space, and the first thing they say: ‘Where is the jilbi?’ So of course I never disappointed them. They got seriously addicted to the jilbis and samosas.”
Amole Gupte’s Informal Mentorship
When asked how the role of Adil Shah came his way, Amole says, “This project didn’t come to me. Riteish came to me with the children on a particular Saturday morning. I thought it was just that. He called me up and said I want both Rahyl and Riaan to spend time with you and see if they open up to you.” And when they met, Amole recalls, “Riteish says I have one thing to ask, I would love that you play Adil Shah in the film. It was a surprise.”
In the film, which has been co-written and directed by him, Riteish has portrayed the role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. His sons Riaan and Rahyl, on the other hand, played Shivaji at his different ages.
Amole Gupte’s delightful account highlights the charming personalities of Riaan and Rahyl Deshmukh, showcasing their blend of cultural rootedness and childlike innocence. Their informal interactions with Gupte promise a memorable debut in ‘Raja Shivaji,’ leaving a sweet impression on the veteran actor.
